Chewing,Biting,Hair Pulling?

Question by Shane: Chewing,Biting,Hair pulling?
Okay,for a long time i’ve had a bad Habit of chewing on pens,paper,bottles and chewing on the tips of my fingers and fingernails also pulling small strands of hair out when i’m nervous,could i be OCD?i’m already taking therapy for anxiety.I also pick at my scalp alot and make sores in my head.i’m 15.

Best answer:

Answer by Brown Eyes
Hello,
Yes,you could have OCD…here is a link with more info.I wish you the best of luck.
Trichotillomania…is a type of psychological condition that involves strong urges to pull out one’s own hair

Answer by Jerry
I have noticed that it usually occurs as a result of anxiety, or stress, and may be considered as a type of coping,or avoiding mechanism. It appears to be closely related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, so view http://your-mental-health.weebly.com/g.html & pages f, m, & i, on anxiety, stress, & OCD; trichotillomania; see page p, and practise one of the relaxation methods, daily, and when needed. Try St. John’s Wort, (preferably a German variety; local ones may vary in efficacy – take with a meal; Jarsin, Perika, or Kira brands have been recommended as being effective) which is believed to act by increasing the availability of the neurotransmitters; serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, moderately, rather than selectively giving the serotonin levels of the brain a large boost, as with antidepressants. First effects usually start at around 2 weeks, approaching maximum effectiveness at 4 – 6 weeks. View www.hypericum.com & www.sjwinfo.org/ & www.drweil.com/ :Herbs, and http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Factsheets/Treatments+and+drugs/St+Johns+Wort++-+Hypericum+perforatum.htm but I don’t recommend the HBC brand, over concerns about pesticide residues and heavy metal contamination. Use a form of occupational therapy, to keep your mind busy. You could also take 50mg (no more) of 5-htp, and inositol, daily, with the wort.

Another suggestion, for when you catch yourself doing this. Some people carry a wide rubber band in your pocket: put it on your wrist; stretch, and release, as a means of reinforcing it, and speeding up the process, re-pocketing it afterwards, but I regard this as being purely optional. It is a habit, which can be unlearned, preferably by replacing it with another, such as worry beads, or a stress ball, etc. This may take 30 – 40 repetitions, to establish. Also, give the EFT version for use in public places, a good tryout, to see if it helps you (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you employ the acupressure massage/tapping on your temples) “Even though I pick my skin, I deeply and completely accept myself”. The acupressure technique can also be used to replace the hair pulling. Professional EFT is always preferable. See www.mercola.com SEARCHBAR “EFT” & “EFT therapists”, or 13 free videos at www.tapping.com
Check out: http://www.experienceproject.com/groups/Have-Dermatillomania/39406 & www.wrongdiagnosis.com & http://www.stoppickingonme.com/ & http://www.grossbart.com/sd/Skin_Deep9.html & www.mental-health-abc.com and Support: http://dailystrength.org/support Chatsites/forums: www.skinpick.com & http://www.mentalhealthforum.net/ and Groups, at Myspace, Yahoo,
( http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Pickaderms/ ) and Google.